A total of 72 percent of Ohio voters are "not too worried" or "not worried at all" that someone in
their family will catch swine flu, and voters say 67 - 31 percent that the media's reaction to swine
flu has been "overblown," according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. More affluent
and educated voters are more likely to see media coverage as overblown.

Only 23 percent of men and 32 percent of women are "very worried" or "somewhat
worried" that they or someone close to them will get the flu, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-
uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. And voters say 59 - 35 percent that government reaction to the
flu has been "justified" rather than "overblown."

But only 31 percent say Gov. Strickland's education reform plan will improve education in
Ohio and only 19 percent of Ohioans think his plan treats all school districts equally. And 74
percent of voters expect to pay more taxes if Gov. Strickland's plan takes effect.

Strickland remains a big favorite for re-election in 2010 and the race for the U.S. Senate
seat held by retiring Sen. George Voinovich leans Democratic at this point, regardless of which of
the two leading candidates - Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher or Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner - wins the
party nomination.

"Ohio voters don't seem all that worried about the flu scare at this point," said Peter
Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "They think the
government has acted appropriately, but they think the media coverage has been over the top.
Interestingly, women are more likely to be worried than men."

"President Obama's approval rating among Ohio voters has gone from 67 - 16 percent
February 6 to 57 - 33 percent March 18, and back to 62 - 31 percent today, with the main shift
coming from independent voters who still are taking stock of the new President," said Brown.

"The Governor's education plan certainly hasn't caught fire with the electorate and to some
degree it is telling that despite his strong popularity, he hasn't been able to get his message across
to voters," said Brown. "Critics who say his plan is taking away too much decision-making power
from local school officials may be hitting the mark: 39 percent agree Strickland is taking too much
power from local officials, 29 percent disagree and 32 percent aren't sure."

Neither of the major Republicans considering challenging Strickland next year is close to
him in the polls. The Governor would defeat former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine 48 - 36 percent and
former Congressman John Kasich 51 - 32 percent. But the GOP might see Strickland's handling
of the economy as a potential area to criticize the governor since voters are split 43 - 43 percent on
whether they approve of his handling of the issue.

In the Senate race, the Democratic nomination is up for grabs with Fisher getting 20
percent in a hypothetical primary, Brunner 16 percent, state lawmaker Tyrone Yates 4 percent and
59 percent not sure. On the GOP side, former Congressman and cabinet member Rob Portman
would get 29 percent to State Auditor Mary Taylor's 8 percent and Cleveland area car dealer Tom
Ganley's 8 percent, with 54 percent unsure.

"At this point, the Senate candidates all are largely unknown to Ohio voters, even though
some of them have been on the political scene for some time," said Brown.

From April 28 - May 4, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,079 Ohio voters, with a margin
of error of +/- 3 percentage points. The survey includes 398 Republicans, with a margin of error of
+/-4.9 percentage points, and 437 Democrats with a margin of error of +/-4.7 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio and the
nation as a public service and for research.
For more data and RSS feed - http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.

1. (If registered Republican) As you may know there will be an election for
governor in Ohio in 2010. Thinking about the Republican primary for governor,
if the 2010 Republican primary for governor were being held today and the
candidates were John Kasich, Mike DeWine and Kevin Coughlin, for whom would
you vote?

TREND: (If registered Republican) As you may know there will be an election for
governor in Ohio in 2010. Thinking about the Republican primary for governor,
if the 2010 Republican primary for governor were being held today and the
candidates were John Kasich, Mike DeWine and Kevin Coughlin, for whom would
you vote? (*Someone Else & Wouldn't Vote volunteered options not in option list)

2. (If registered Republican) As you may know, Ohio Senator George Voinovich
will not be running for reelection in 2010. Thinking about the 2010 Republican
primary for United States Senator, if the 2010 Republican primary for United
States Senator were being held today and the candidates were Rob Portman,
Mary Taylor and Tom Ganley, for whom would you vote?

TREND: (If registered Republican) As you may know, Ohio Senator George Voinovich
will not be running for reelection in 2010. Thinking about the 2010 Republican
primary for United States Senator, if the 2010 Republican primary for United
States Senator were being held today and the candidates were Rob Portman, Mary
Taylor and Tom Ganley, for whom would you vote? (*Someone Else & Wouldn't Vote
volunteered options not in option list)

3. (If registered Democrat) Thinking about the 2010 Democratic primary for
United States Senator, if the 2010 Democratic primary for United States
Senator were being held today and the candidates were Lee Fisher, Jennifer
Brunner and Tyrone Yates, for whom would you vote?

TREND: (If registered Democrat) Thinking about the 2010 Democratic primary for
United States Senator, if the 2010 Democratic primary for United States
Senator were being held today and the candidates were Lee Fisher, Jennifer
Brunner and Tyrone Yates, for whom would you vote?(*Someone Else & Wouldn't
Vote volunteered options not in option list / na=not asked)

33. To balance the state budget next year, if you had to choose, which would
you prefer, raising taxes to keep state services at their current level or
cutting state services to keep taxes at their current level?

TREND: To balance the state budget next year, if you had to choose, which would
you prefer - raising taxes to keep state services at their current level or
cutting state services to keep taxes at their current level?

34. Governor Strickland has ruled out raising state taxes to alleviate Ohio's
budget situation. Do you agree with him that taxes should not be raised, or do
you think that some tax increase should be considered?

TREND: Governor Strickland has ruled out raising state taxes to alleviate
Ohio's budget situation. Do you agree with him that taxes should not be raised,
or do you think that some tax increase should be considered?

35. Governor Strickland has offered a new education plan for Ohio that would
affect how schools are funded, how students are taught and how teachers are
trained. How much have you heard or read about Strickland's new education plan?
A lot, some, not much, or nothing at all?

TREND: Governor Strickland has offered a new education plan for Ohio that
would affect how schools are funded, how students are taught and how teachers
are trained. How much have you heard or read about Strickland's new education
plan? A lot, some, not much, or nothing at all?

37. Governor Strickland has said that he will raise the amount of money that
the state gives to local school districts, but he will not raise state taxes to
pay for it. Local districts would be allowed to raise taxes, but they would not
have to. If the governor's plan goes into effect, do you think you will pay more
taxes to support education than you are paying now or not?

TREND: Governor Strickland has said that he will raise the amount of money that
the state gives to local school districts, but he will not raise state taxes to
pay for it. Local districts would be allowed to raise taxes, but they would not
have to. If the governor's plan goes into effect, do you think you will pay more
taxes to support education than you are paying now or not?